THE Grallagh Harriers young kennel man Mark Cunniffe was given the responsibility of showing hounds at their annual puppy show and one could immediately see the enormous amount of training he had put into this seasons new entry by the way they responded to him.

Hounds looked a picture. Everything is done to an exceptionally high standard at the Grallagh for the comfort of horses and hounds, and the masters had already posted an update on all the fresh painting of the stables, kennels, hound runs, complemented by an array of hanging baskets of fresh flowers in preparation for the large group of members, landowners and supporters.

The judges were Oliver Ryan-Purcell, current master of the Ormond Foxhounds and former master of the North Tipperary and the Scarteen, and Jane Hall one of the most experienced judges of both hounds and horses, who will be judging again at the Dublin Horse Show this year.

The champion doghound was Rupert, a smashing black, tan and white hound by Grallagh Bouncer ‘20 out of South Union Ruby ‘19, walked by the Freeney family and they were presented with the Frank Burke Cup by his wife Berney and her son and senior master David.

The champion bitch was Wonder by Duhallow Albany ‘20 out of Waterfall Worry ‘22, walked by Ella Cantillon. The presentations to the puppy walkers were made at the well-stocked marquee, which the followers availed of later and well into the evening, basking in the warm sunshine.

Gary Higgins, who has been featured on many occasions in The Irish Field for his success in amateur show jumping, has rejoined the Grallagh mastership, having previously been a joint-master.

Gabriel Freeney arrived at the puppy show on his bicycle, having cycled that morning from Croke Park in Dublin to Loughrea in Co Galway, in honour of his late uncle Anthony, having raised much-needed sponsorship money for the Galway Hospice.